Relationship between Body Mass Index and Ductus Venosus Doppler Measurements at 11-14 Gestational Weeks

Abstract

Introduction: In this study, we aimed to investigate the possible causative relationship between maternal obesity and flowpatterns of ductus venosus.Methods: One hundred twenty three pregnant women with a body mass index of 25 or higher and 83 pregnant womenwith body mass index lower than 25 in gestational weeks between 11-14, were included in the present study.Results: The findings showed that there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups for a combinedtest, three-component antenatal tests, second-level ultrasonography. In 12% of the women, loss of a wave and/or inversea wave was noted. In the rest of the women, there were no pathological waves. In 4.8% of women with a BMI less than 25,there was an abnormality in ductus venosus flow pattern, whereas this ratio was 17% in the other group consisted of womenwith BMI higher than 25; and the difference was statistically significant (p=0.008).Discussion and Conclusion: We concluded that maternal hyperglycemia and high body mass index might cause abnormalflow patterns in ductus venosus in pregnancies with normal first-trimester scanning and abnormal flow patterns ofductus venosus.